The most common symptom of impetigo is lesions on the skin. The specific appearance of the skin and any other symptoms may differ slightly, depending on the type of impetigo present.

Symptoms of nonbullous impetigo may include:

• Painless skin lesions on the face, most often around the nose and mouth, which quickly spread to other areas of the body if a person touches or scratches them. Typically the lesion begins as a cluster of tiny blisters that burst, followed by oozing and the formation of a thick honey- or brown-colored crust on the skin.
  
• Itchiness (pruritus) on the affected areas.
  
• Swollen lymph nodes.

Ecthyma, the more involved form of nonbullous impetigo, may involve painful fluid- or pus-filled sores that turn into deep ulcers, usually in the legs and feet. A hard, thick, gray-yellow crust forms over the ulcers. Unlike other forms, ecthyma ulcers may leave scars.

Symptoms of bullous impetigo may include:

• Painless blisters filled with yellow pus that vary in size and rupture easily. Lesions commonly appear on the face, trunk, arms and legs. When the blisters rupture, they leave behind shiny, varnish-like erosions without thick crusts.
  
• Fever.
  
• Diarrhea.
  
• Fatigue.